Wednesday, August 31, 2011

While making dinner last week, after I emptied the pesto into the pot, I sat it on the counter and looked at it for the longest time. Such a cute little container. I soaked the label off and created the following cheap and easy gifts and ideas to use this adorable jar!

First off you need to empty it! The following is an easy weekday meal. Only 4 ingredients and super delish!

1 box of Penne Pasta - cook as directed

1 container of Classico jarred Pesto

4 ounces of roasted red peppers diced

1 container of feta cheese

Once the noodles are cooked and they have been drained, place them back into the pot and add the pesto and red peppers. Once thoroughly stirred, add the container of feta. Easy as that. To spread the ingredients out a bit I have been known to split the container of feta so I have enough for two batches.

No one knew the difference.

On to the crafts people!

Idea #1 - The cutest glassware ever!! Perfect for a summer party or an afternoon snack!

By far, this was middle B's favorite idea!:)

Idea #2 - Pencil holder.

Idea #3 - By painting the top with chalkboard paint you can organize a ton of different supplies. I chose to use it as a hardware organizer and put the length of screw on top.

Idea #4 - Teacher gift! Plant a small well, plant:) and attach a bow with a tag reading

"Thank you for helping me grow".

Idea #5 - Cookies in a jar. Such a great last minute gift. Just layer the ingredients, cut a square of fabric, attach a bow and voila! You can find a gazillion cookies in a jar recipes. Most are for a 32 ounce jar. Just quarter the recipe and create a instruction card!

Idea #6 - A candle! You can pick up wax crystals and premade wicks at any craft store. The crystals come in a variety of colors and it really makes a nice handmade gift. I attached a "You light up my life" sticker and hotglued some lace around the lid for a vintage look.

Monday, August 29, 2011

So, it's no secret that I have not been a fan of picking up big B at school. It's mad hot in Texas and with two little ones my only real option is geting there early and waiting in line. To me, having a half hour in a parked car with my Oprah magazine and a diet coke seems like a little bit of heaven but I have had to get a little more creative with the two younger B's. Baby B was easy - a portable DVD player and an Elmo video - done! Middle B, not so much. As I have mentioned I am on an all out mission saving for a minivan so I had to make due with what I had and get creative.

Enter the car caddy. Made from a 1 pint ice cream container.

After I cleaned out the contaner I got some trusty chalkboard paint. This blue color was a custom color I did using the Chalkboard Paint from this tutorial here. Any paint will do - even the spray chalkboard paint that you get at Walmart.

Next, get your paint on!

When finished with the fun chalkboard top I filled middle B's caddy with tons of cool stuff to keep him busy.

Everyday I have him help me fill it.

Last Friday he even asked me when we were going to pick up big B from school:)

Friday, August 26, 2011

I am in love with chalkboard paint! It has so many uses. The only drawback is that the colors you can buy are limited. Here is an easy tutorial on how to make your own chalkboard paint.

You will need

1. Flat paint in the color of your choice

2. Unsanded tile grout

3. Stir stick or spoon in my case:)

4. Measuring utensils

4. Sandpaper - around 150 grit is good

A few notes. Depending on your project size, Home Depot and Lowes sell the 7.25 ounce samples. These are perfect and cheap (less than $3 in my area).

The unsanded tile grout will come in a wide range of white colors. A whole lotta names for white - really, it makes no difference. If you plan to ever duplicate the exact same batch you may want to note what you used. Especially if you steal it out of the garage and hide it in tupperware:) shhh don't tell!

On to business. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of the unsanded grout to your paint. It takes a while to work the clumps out. Don't rush it, take the time on this step.

It should look similar to this when you are done. You can tell there is some texture to it but no huge clumps.

Next, get your paint on! Don't panic if you see clumps while you are applying! Just keep working it out by going over it with your brush. Once dry, use the sandpaper to lightly go over the first coat before

applying the second coat.

After your second coat, lightly sand again. This will take off any small imperfections.

To prime the surface rub the area with a piece of chalk and then clean off with a little sudsy water.

Oila, a beautiful custom color! I used this custom blue for some adorable tags in my shop on Etsy

Thursday, August 25, 2011

I really do feel bad for middle B. He has to watch as Big B goes off and does all sorts of cool things that he isn't able to do yet. I have been trying to be super fun this week to make up for Big B being gone. I think he has sensed it and has been trying to capitalize on my guilt. Today when we got back from drop off, Middle B declared he was going to have ice cream for breakfast. I'm not sure where it came from, maybe a commercial on tv, a dream? He was convinced if he was firm enough and the meltdown was big enough I would back down.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

I could write a post today on the current condition of this momma and how much she misses her little nugget. Or I could write about my intense hatred for all this picking up and dropping off business at school. But, instead I am going to try to think about the things that bring me nothing but happiness.

First up, Big B LOVING the Karate Kid. The OG, not this Jayden Smith business!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

"South to drop off, north to pick up!" Well I am officially shooting a remake of the movie! It's all I could think of after the cluster of it all yesterday. It's funny how that part never registered to me until yesterday. Everyone keeps telling me it will get easier. We'll find a groove, they'll find a groove. Well, I am waiting and I'll let you know when it happens. Big B's day was "boring and long". He missed me too much and didn't want to go back (umm yeah, straight through the heart).

I promised him a new WII game and ice cream for dinner Friday if he went everyday with a good attitude. Don't judge - the truth is I'm glad he's only 6 because little did he know he could of gotten a lot more out of me! lol

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About Me

Hi there! Thanks for stopping by! I am a stay at home mom of three little B's who are my world. I am marrried to a guy who gets my crazy and everyday I thank god that my life turned out the way it did:) I love to craft and create. This blog is dedicated to what works and what doesn't:) Thanks for coming along for the ride!!